A look on the past and present government: The game is no difference
- Imphal Times Editorial :: August 29 2018 -

During an unofficial discussion, former President of Editor Guilds’ Manipur Ahongsangbam Mobi once stated that the true colour of a person emerges when he or she is given absolute power.

For fifteen years congress had been in power ruling the state under the Chief Ministership of Okram Ibobi.

As happened in the 12 Manipur Legislative Assembly Election, none in political arena had ever expected that Okram would become the Chief Minister.

It was his fate that he continued to remain in the top post for continuous 3 terms.

It was the defeat of some of the powerful congress men including Late Rishang Kishing that Okram Ibobi was chosen to the hot chair.

There may have been other reasons for the people of the state to give mandate to congress party similarly, Late Rishang Kishing support to Okram Ibobi might have reason which should have known to the person who was one of the longest serving chief Minister.

The same is the fate of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

His quitting from Congress Party on October 6, 2016 and then resignation from the Party before joining the BJP was an attempt made for his political survival, as he had lot of differences to the running of the govt. by the Okram Ibobi Singh.

No Political observer in the state had ever expected the N.Biren Singh would become the chief Minister of Manipur even if he won the election in 12th Manipur legislative Assembly.

That was because many veteran BJP leader including Thanaojam Chaoba, M. Hemanta etc could not win the election. N. Biren was the BJP choice as he was the most appropriate for the post base on his 3 years of political experience.

This write up is not a comparison of Mr. Okram Ibobi and N. Biren Singh. This writing is purely an attempt to analyse on how the true colour of a person emerges in the public platform when given absolute power.

Taking aback, 17 years from now – that is on July 11, 2004, when Okram Ibobi became the Chief Minister of Manipur – A 32 years old lady was brutally rape and murdered by troopers of Assam rifles.

The killing sparked mass protest against impunity by SF under the shadow of AFSPA Sensational issue of Manipur’s territorial Integrity could not be handled diplomatically 18th of June which was declared as state Holiday has to be revoke due to pressure and threat from an major organization supported by the NSCN – IM.

During the 15 years of government over 1000s were killed by security force mostly by state force in staged encounter.

Series of irregularities committed by office staffs at various departed were daily news stories of Media none maintenance of quality in construction works were the talk of the town but no action was taken up to any of the Engineers responsible for the construction.

The one and the only Bir Tikendrajit over bridge had to be shortened by armed 10 metres without reducing the budget for construction of the Bridge.

Some incident like slapping of police officer on duty by a mere pharmacist, who happened to be a relative of the than Chief Minister and throwing the said police officer and his team to Police lock up over some of the incident which had made up the people of the state to look for some other alternative which could replaced the Okram Ibobi Singh government.

Now coming to the present government headed by Chief Minister N.Biren Singh, it is not even two years that people have started criticizing.

The first one year showed appreciation from almost all quarter of the people irrespective of Hill or Plain people.

But the beginning of the 2nd years is a hard day.

There are unofficial reports of frequent transfer of not only the top govt. officials but also even officers serving in the lower level talks are going around abut contractors waiting for their bill after paying 30% of the total cost.

May be these are rumours but when those contractor spoke and narrate their experience the rumours spreading around may have some logic.

The most shocking incident during N. Biren Singh tenure is the inability to give pressure to the central authority to make sure that the Manipur University runs without any disturbance.

For reason best known to the Chief Minister one person, that too a head of the University was allowed to sabotage the functioning of the Manipur University for 85 days, and no action could be initiated against the person.

The loopholes to the ambitions CMHT is allowing coming to the public spare and recommendation and approval to make sure the poor and needy by the Chief Minister himself during people’s day are piling up in department like State Health Department.